James Gurney

This daily weblog by Dinotopia creator James Gurney is for illustrators, plein-air painters, sketchers, comic artists, animators, art students, and writers. You'll find practical studio tips, insights into the making of the Dinotopia books, and first-hand reports from art schools and museums.

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or by email:gurneyjourney (at) gmail.comSorry, I can't give personal art advice or portfolio reviews. If you can, it's best to ask art questions in the blog comments.

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All images and text are copyright 2015 James Gurney and/or their respective owners. Dinotopia is a registered trademark of James Gurney. For use of text or images in traditional print media or for any commercial licensing rights, please email me for permission.

However, you can quote images or text without asking permission on your educational or non-commercial blog, website, or Facebook page as long as you give me credit and provide a link back. Students and teachers can also quote images or text for their non-commercial school activity. It's also OK to do an artistic copy of my paintings as a study exercise without asking permission.

Saturday, November 5, 2011

In honor of the centennial of Mr. Pyle’s death in 1911, the museum will present the most ambitious exhibition of legendary illustrator’s work in many decades.

A lavish book has just been published, the first major book on Pyle in a long time. I wrote the opening chapter “Pyle as a Picturemaker” which explores in detail Mr. Pyle's working methods, including his approach to preliminary sketches, principles of composition, and use of models. Other essays examine his teaching, his students, his influence on Norman Rockwell, his interest in Swedenborgianism, and his development of the pirate archetype.

On the opening day, November 12, at 11:00 am (free with museum admission), I’ll present a lecture called “Composition: Pyle’s Way with Pictures.” In this visual presentation for both all audiences, I’ll focus on Pyle’s unique approach to the design of pictures, and how it relates to compositional thinking then and now. The lecture will be followed by a book signing.

I hope to meet you there if you can make it. There should be quite a few professional artists and illustrators in attendance, as well as art students, collectors, and fans of Golden Age illustration. The nearby Brandywine River Museum will have a related show on Pyle’s Teaching and N.C.Wyeth’s Treasure Island illustrations (through November 17).

The Pyle exhibit at the Delaware museum closes March 4. Next summer it continues at the Norman Rockwell Museum.

Also, on Thursday evening, November 10, I'll present a lecture in Baltimore at Maryland Institute of the Arts from 7:00-8:00 in the evening, Room 110, Main Building. More information on that lecture here.